Will your AK-47 Bolt stay open?

[Got_Lead?]

One of the few complaints about the AK-47 is it's lack of a bolt hold-open. It was probably designed this way for the simple fact of simplicity. However, many gun ranges mandate storage in their racks with the bolt open, and this can be somewhat of a headache for AK-47 shooters.

One evening while putting my AK away I discovered something interesting.

I am one of these people that stores their firearms with the mainsprings un-tentioned if possible. Bolt action rifles strikers can be let down gently by lifting the bolt and releasing the sear, and with many autolaoders the hammer can be let down gently by pulling the bolt back just far enough to engage the hammer, then by pulling the trigger, the hammer will gently ride the bolt forward. Naturally, I make sure the rifle is not loaded, and the chamber empty.

Anyway, I do this for my AK when I put it away, and one evening I discovered that if I pulled the trigger when the bolt was all the way back on my AK, and then let the slide move forward an inch or so, the hammer would ride up to lock the bolt carrier open. This engagement is very solid, and no amount of jamming or jarring will make the bolt go forward.

To release the bolt, simply pull the charging handle all the way back (this re-engages the hammer on the sear), then let it go forward. Just like any other rifle with an indigenous bolt stop.

I'm curious how many other AK's will do the same. Will your's do this?

 

[Cal-gun Fan]

Thats neat, I'll have to try that, thanks a ton!

 

[sarduy]

here's a video i made a while back explaining what you just said

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AeWa0fKOpA0

 

[Got_Lead?]

Mine works just like you showed in the video. The bolt doesn't extend down quite as far as the bolt carrier, and allows the hammer to release when you pull the trigger when the charging handle is all the way back. As you let the slide move forward, the hammer catches the bolt carrier, effectively locking the slide open. It's not gonna slip nohow until you pull the charging handle to the rear to re-engage the hammer into the sear.

You gotta love the nay-sayers.

 

[sarduy]

lol ^

 

[FIVETWOSEVEN]

Mine does but I wouldn't trust it, one jolt and it slams home.

 

[wally]

Just had to open the safe and grab the closest AK.

Doesn't work for me. While you can almost always make the bolt carrier "hang" on the hammer (trigger pulled or not) if you cycle it slowly enough, mine is in no way "locked" and will slam forward with a little tap on the butt or charging handle.

I'd like to see a picture with the top cover off in this position.

 

[Onmilo]

There is a reason Companies produce Chamber flags,,,
Some AK/ALM selectors will lock the bolt open by pulling the bolt fully to the rear then setting the selector in the on safe position.

If you can find a Yugoslav AK magazine, they have a bolt hold open follower installed.
Only way the bolt will go back into battery is to remove the empty magazine.

 

[Got_Lead?]

I'll shoot some pictures tomorrow that show the engagement.

It sounds like some AK's will and some won't. The underside of the bolt carrier is tapered in both directions, and the hammer is rounded on the back so the carrier will glide over the hammer in both directions. However, when I get the hammer to release and press upward on the round shaft of the bolt extension, the shaft moves up just far enough so the hammer round in the back can't glide over the taper of the bolt carrier.

My guess is that my AK is just made a little loosy goosy, and a tighter fitting one might not do this. Several people mentioned that the bolt carrier will "stick" slightly when moved forward slowly at the point it engages the hammer. Mine does this too, and the bolt can slam forward pretty easily if bumped. However, at this point where it hangs, if I pull the bolt back just a wee bit like 1/16", and pull the trigger, the hammer will move up far enough that the camming surface of the underside of the carrier can't cam the hammer down, and it's locked open. Maybe this is just because of looser tolerances in this particular rifle.

 

[AK103K]

I have three AK's, and two of the three will hang up (somewhat), but neither will withstand a jar, or slight rap to the butt.

 

[RyanAnchors]

Same with mine (to what everyone else said).
I can get it to "hang" open for a few seconds if I'm using a bore light or passing it to someone else (common courtesy to leave the action open).
But one quick jerk or tap on any part of it and it slams home.

 

[Nautilus]

I use an empty case to hold it open. The range I use is a private membership range and is almost always empty so when I'm alone I don't worry about it. But when others are there using an empty brass 30-06 case works.

 

[InkEd]

Just clear the chamber, remove the magazine and put the selector bar to safe. Much better method.

 

[Averageman]

I shoot on a Military range when it is open for Privatly Owned Weapons use.
There has never been an issue with my AK's, I clear them as the Range Master passes my shooting box, he nods I lay it down.

 

[Ro1911]

If you need a bolt hold open you can cut a notch into the upper side of the safety lever in the appropriate spot, and as far as what the op is describing some lesser quality aks will do this but I have never seen the hammer/trigger group causing it. It is usually the spot were the bolt carrier and piston come together catching on the gas tube, when it does this the only way to make it go forward again is to pull it back. They usually don't do it while firing, but if you pull it back and slowly let it forward it will lock open.

 

[Bobson]

I use an empty case to hold it open. The range I use is a private membership range and is almost always empty so when I'm alone I don't worry about it. But when others are there using an empty brass 30-06 case works.

They allow the same thing at Ben Avery here in Phoenix, for guns with actions that won't hold open.

 

[valnar]

One of the few complaints about the AK-47 is it's lack of a bolt hold-open.

VZ 58?

 

[MD_Willington]

Saiga with bolt hold open installed!

 

[wally]

There is a reason Companies produce Chamber flags

Pretty much every AK I've bought new came with one.

You do have to be careful if the gun is really hot and the plastic low grade, it can melt in the chamber.

 

[M1key]

Saiga with bolt hold open installed!

Yeppers...

M

 

[The-Reaver]

Yeah, both of mine do it... always have.

 

[Ignition Override]

I've never allowed it to happen with my Garand,
but does "AK Thumb" feel just like "Garand Thumb"?

valnar: If the time to buy a rifle in the AK category ever comes, for me it will be a VZ-58.
Even if none of those very pretty Czech ladies are used to model the rifle (we were in Praha), it has some advantages.

 

[navajo]

hold open

What valnar said. VZ58.

 

[ny32182]

VZ58 has more in common with the FAL than it does the AK.

Like many others have stated, my Arsenal Saigia will hold open if you let it forward just right, but will close with any sort of bump to the rifle.

I just keep a chamber flag in my range bag on the off chance I ever need it to comply with range rules.